Wind Farms

Wind turbine

Copyright Environmental Potection Agency

Wind turbine
Copyright Environmental Potection Agency

Wind turbine

Copyright Environmental Potection Agency

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Ireland’s wind farm industry has been growing rapidly over the past ten years as it has become increasingly clear that global carbon emissions must be drastically reduced in the struggle against climate change. Under EU mandate, Ireland must reduce its carbon emissions by 20% by 2020 and also produce 40% of its electricity demands through renewable by the same period. Producing wind energy can help Ireland meet both of these targets.

Since February 2010, the 124 wind farms across the country have a capacity to generate 1570.1MW of electricity while saving thousands of tons of carbon dioxide emissions. Of this, Co. Limerick hosts five wind farms with a total capacity of 81.6MW*. They are Tournafulla I & II, Knockwarriga, Knockastanna and Dromada, and can produce enough electricity to supply in excess of 46,000 homes.

*(Source: IWEA, Feb. 2010)